ConnellsvilleĢƵ Nobles wins to avenge last yearĢƵ PIAA defeat
HERSHEY — One good way to crush a lingering bad memory is to wipe it away with a good one.
ThatĢƵ what Connellsville seniors Janayah Nobles did Thursday in the first round of the PIAA Girls Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Last year in this tournament, Nobles had an 8-0 lead on her opponent but lost it when she was pinned. It was a heart-breaking situation but one she learned a lot from.
She avenged that loss yesterday with a dominating performance in a 12-4 major decision over Emma Arnold of Avon Grove in the 136-pound division.
“I wouldn’t say I was nervous (for this opener). I’d say butterflies,” she said. “You never know what can happen. I never wrestled her before. I watched some films of her so we knew what to do and what to stay out of.”
Nobles used her strength to score the first three takedowns and forge a 9-3 lead.
“Winning here was much better than last year,” Nobles said. “ItĢƵ good to get the win.”
Nobles wrestles Charlene Hunt of Philipsburg-Osceola in the quarterfinals today.
“I want to stay hydrated,” Nobles said. “Keep my nutrition up and weight down. Then I’ll be good to go.”
In other action for the Falcons, junior Trinity MooreĢƵ season came to a close after she dropped her first two bouts. Sophomore Olivia Shultz lost both her matches as well, including her opener to top-seeded Jael Miller of Punxsutawney.
SouthmorelandĢƵ Zoey Murphy won a wild 9-13 decision over Samaraa Bailey of Crestwood to advance to todayĢƵ quarterfinals. Murphy, a junior, needs one more victory to place.

